Access to Pharmacies during COVID-19 - A statement from our colleagues at Greater Manchester Local Pharmaceutical Committee (GM LPC)
Like all parts of the NHS, community pharmacies are facing huge challenges as a result of COVID-19. The situation is unprecedented, and throughout the pandemic it will be critical that pharmacy teams are able to continue their important work getting the nation’s medicines to them. Due to the increasing pressures on them, many pharmacies are having to take steps to cope and to ensure the safety of their staff and customers. Our ask is that the public respect these decisions, and recognise pharmacy teams as the NHS heroes that they are.
What steps are pharmacies taking?
Many pharmacies are struggling to manage staff shortages (for instance where people are self-isolating) and remaining staff are working long hours to meet demand. As they come under increased pressure, pharmacies are having to take a number of steps to ensure that they can continue to supply the medicines and products that people need, including:
- Operating on a closed-door basis at some points during the day. This allows pharmacy teams to dispense medicines safely and to meet unprecedented demand for prescription medicines.
- Restricting the supply of some products including paracetamol, hand sanitisers and formula milk. NHS England and NHS Improvement has asked pharmacies to do this to ensure that everyone can have supplies.
- Asking customers and patients to keep 2m (6 feet) away from other people when inside the pharmacy.
What can patients and members of the public do?
To help pharmacies to cope under the increasing pressure, Greater Manchester Local Pharmaceutical Committee is asking patients and members of the public to:
- Avoid pharmacies if you are showing symptoms of COVID-19: If you have a dry, persistent cough, fever or shortness of breath, please don’t go to your local pharmacy.
- Be patient: All pharmacies are under immense pressure and working around the clock to ensure that you get what you need.
- Respect pharmacy staff: they are providing NHS services and deserve the same respect as any other frontline NHS worker.
- Order medicines and purchase products as normal: there is no need to stockpile. There are enough medicines for everyone, so long as everyone only orders the prescriptions and buys the medicines they really need. We are all in this together and we need to remember that stockpiling causes problems for more vulnerable people in our communities.
Patients are asked to treat high street pharmacy staff with respect, as they deliver vital support on the NHS frontline in the face of COVID-19. As some people scramble to stockpile medicines and supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, this is putting unprecedented pressure on pharmacy teams and the supply chain more generally.
How can I find out more information about local pharmacies?
If you need help accessing local services here in Manchester, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
0161 228 1344
